US20150097060A1 - Attachment to Improve Transfer Efficiency for a Spraying Device - Google Patents
Attachment to Improve Transfer Efficiency for a Spraying Device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150097060A1 US20150097060A1 US14/467,141 US201414467141A US2015097060A1 US 20150097060 A1 US20150097060 A1 US 20150097060A1 US 201414467141 A US201414467141 A US 201414467141A US 2015097060 A1 US2015097060 A1 US 2015097060A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- vane
- air
- attachment
- spray
- apertures
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
- B05B1/28—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with integral means for shielding the discharged liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to limit area of spray; with integral means for catching drips or collecting surplus liquid or other fluent material
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
- B05B7/02—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge
- B05B7/08—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point
- B05B7/0807—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point to form intersecting jets
- B05B7/0861—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point to form intersecting jets with one single jet constituted by a liquid or a mixture containing a liquid and several gas jets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
- B05B7/02—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge
- B05B7/08—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point
- B05B7/0807—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point to form intersecting jets
- B05B7/0815—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point to form intersecting jets with at least one gas jet intersecting a jet constituted by a liquid or a mixture containing a liquid for controlling the shape of the latter
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
- B05B12/16—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for controlling the spray area
- B05B12/18—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for controlling the spray area using fluids, e.g. gas streams
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
- B05B7/02—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge
- B05B7/06—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with at least one outlet orifice surrounding another approximately in the same plane
- B05B7/062—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with at least one outlet orifice surrounding another approximately in the same plane with only one liquid outlet and at least one gas outlet
- B05B7/066—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with at least one outlet orifice surrounding another approximately in the same plane with only one liquid outlet and at least one gas outlet with an inner liquid outlet surrounded by at least one annular gas outlet
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
- B05B7/24—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with means, e.g. a container, for supplying liquid or other fluent material to a discharge device
- B05B7/2402—Apparatus to be carried on or by a person, e.g. by hand; Apparatus comprising containers fixed to the discharge device
- B05B7/2478—Gun with a container which, in normal use, is located above the gun
Definitions
- the first stage is the atomization of the coating
- the second stage is the shaping of a of a spray pattern, such as a fan pattern, by pattern shaping devices located on the front portion of the spraying device.
- the atomization of the coating does not produce a plethora of uniform coating particle sizes, but a distribution of larger sized coating particles, medium sized coating particles, all the way to micron sized coating particles.
- the coating experiences the effect of decompression, which causes a portion of the atomized particles of the coating to stray from the main pattern and become errant.
- Transfer Efficiency the percentage of the coating that it actually delivered to the workpiece, known as Transfer Efficiency (TE) is relatively low.
- TE transfer efficiency
- TE transfer efficiency
- At a constant air pressure moving the atomized coating if the nozzle is too close to the workpiece, it will cause more bounce back as well as running of the coating on the workpiece. Alternatively, if the nozzle is too far away from the workpiece, insufficient atomized coating will be able to travel the distance. Both of these scenarios have a negative impact on the transfer efficiency as well as the quality of the coating on the workpiece.
- a skilled and experienced operator would find a sweet spot for maximum transfer efficiency, by adjusting the distance of the spray device to the workpiece, adjusting the level of pressurized air moving the atomized coating toward the workpiece, as well as other tricks of the trade.
- the generation of overspray, microscopic errant particles, bounce-back and other factors give an upper limit to the transfer efficiency.
- Over 50% of material sprayed by a spray device is lost to the above named factors combined with other factors. Even if the overspray is collected and the errant particles corralled, it may help the environment but does not put any more coating on the workpiece.
- compressed air is not limited solely to compressed atmospheric air. Below follows a list of the mixture of gases which are found in atmospheric air.
- the instant invention may be utilized with gasses or combination of gasses which are different than atmospheric air. These gasses and mixtures of gasses are would be compressed and utilized just as compressed air would be.
- compressed air includes compressed gasses and mixtures of gasses.
- air in this application includes gas or mixture of gasses.
- the airhub 60 will allow the flow of not just air, but any gas, mixture of gas or microscopic elements which may be entrained therein. It will not be referred to as the gashub, rather as an airhub. The same follows for air passageways and air conduits.
- All four of the vanes have an internal air passageway which permits the secondary compressed air to flow to the distal end of each of the four vanes.
- a canted or angled vane element which also includes an internal compressed air passageway therein which is in communication with the internal air passageway of the four vanes.
- the distal end of each of the four vanes are canted or angled toward the workpiece.
- the secondary compressed air passageway which is located in the canted or angled portion of the four vanes each have a secondary compressed air exit, the secondary compressed air exit comprised of a plurality of apertures.
- the plurality of apertures located at the secondary compressed air exit aims the secondary compressed air flow or second pattern into and about the first spray pattern of atomized coating particles traveling toward the workpiece, thus adding a boost of energy to the spray pattern.
- the boost of energy when added to the spray pattern encourages the atomized coating particles to hit and adhere to the workpiece.
- the secondary compressed air flow leaving the attachment creates an directional flow of energy peripherally, which surrounds the pattern, corralling the atomized particles back into the spray pattern.
- the spray attachment has the advantage which permits it's use with existing spraying devices and requires no special training for the operator.
- the spray attachment may be manufactured with different vane lengths as well as different canting angles at the distal end of the vanes giving the spray attachment the ability to be used with pre-existing atomizing spray devices. Additionally, the spray attachment may be used with, but is not limited to, any and all coatings, fluids, adhesives, paints, anti-corrosive agents, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, waxes, fungicides and the like, which are currently employed to coat or be delivered to a workpiece or target area by a spray device. Such a device can be used by, but is not limited to use by, a human operator, a numerically controlled spray machine, a robotic spray device or the like. Such a device would substantially and measurably increase the transfer efficiency of the coating on the workpiece.
- the invention can be employed with any spraying device. Additionally, the invention can be employed with airless atomization tools or air assisted airless atomization tools. Still, compressed air would be employed through the air pathways created by the invention when using such atomization spray devices.
- the vane length is dependent on the nozzle of the spraying device which is employed with the invention. As different nozzles produce different spray patterns, the vanes will need to be adjusted in length accordingly in order to produce an air pattern which will add the boost or push to whatever may be spraying through the nozzle to increase the transfer efficiency to the target or workpiece.
- the invention is an attachment for an atomizing spray device, other types of spray devices, or other spraying devices.
- a cylindrical air hub with a central aperture is provided to permit the front portion of the spray device or nozzle to be securely mounted through the central aperture.
- the central aperture of the air hub is adapted to receive the front of the spray device there-through.
- the interior portion of a cylindrical sidewall securely surrounds the front portion of the spray device, this front portion of the spray device generally would include a center-point where the workpiece coating material is atomized, and proximal to the center-point resides a pair of air horns.
- the spray device does not form any part of the invention.
- the spray device is to be used in conjunction with the spray device attachment, which is the invention.
- the cylindrical air hub with a central aperture has a front ring with a first interior air passage and a rear ring with a second interior air passage which are separated by an interior dividing wall.
- the interior dividing wall divides the cylindrical air hub in half which results in the first interior air passage and the second interior passage being of the same size as well as being parallel to each other.
- a bifurcated compressed air port passes through the sidewall of the air hub.
- the bifurcated compressed air port has a dividing element.
- the bifurcated compressed air port is attached to the air hub in such a fashion that the dividing element is in the same plane and connected to the dividing wall which separates the first interior air passage from the second interior air passage in the air hub.
- the bifurcated compressed air port when hooked up to a compressed air supply, would supply one half of the compressed air to the first interior air passage of the front ring of the air hub, and one half of the compressed air to the second interior air passage of the rear ring of the air hub.
- the external sidewall of the air hub has four air vanes attached thereto.
- a first pair of two air vanes are mounted on the front portion of the of the air hub and are in communication with the first interior air passage of the front ring.
- a second pair of two air vanes are mounted on the rear portion of the air hub and have are in communication with the second interior air passage of the rear ring.
- the first pair of two air vanes are located at the 12:00 position and the 6:00 position of the front portion of the air hub.
- the first air vane located at the 12:00 position has an interior air passageway which passes through the sidewall of the front portion of the air hub and allows air to flow there-through from the first interior air passage of the front portion of the air hub.
- the second air vane located at the 6:00 position has an interior air passageway which passes through the sidewall of the front portion of the air hub and allows air to flow there-through from the first interior air passage of the front portion of the air hub.
- the second pair of two air vanes are located at the 9:00 and 3:00 position of the rear portion of the air hub.
- the third air vane located at the 9:00 position has an interior air passageway which passes through the sidewall of the rear portion of the air hub and allows air to flow there-through from the second interior air passage of the rear portion of the air hub.
- the fourth air vane located at the 3:00 position has an interior air passageway which passes through the sidewall of the rear portion of the air hub and allows air to flow there-through from the second interior air passage of the rear portion of the air hub.
- the vanes that are located at the 12:00 position and the 6:00 position are longer than the vanes located at the 9:00 position and the 3:00 position.
- each of the vanes is canted or angled in a forward fashion toward the workpiece.
- the canted or angled portion of each of the vanes includes an interior air passage as well.
- the air passageways include an end piece and each end piece includes a plurality of compressed air exit holes. The plurality of exit holes allow the secondary compressed air flow from the bifurcated input port to pass through the air hub, into the four vanes, and then into the canted or angled portion of the four vanes where it would exit through the plurality of exit holes located at the end of each vane.
- the plurality of apertures located at the secondary compressed air exit aims the secondary compressed air flow into the spray pattern of atomized coating particles traveling toward the workpiece, thus adding a boost of energy to the spray pattern.
- the boost of energy when added to the spray pattern encourages the atomized coating particles to hit and adhere to the workpiece.
- the secondary compressed air flow leaving the attachment or an atomizing air device creates a second directional flow pattern which peripherally surrounds the first pattern formed by the spray device, which additionally corrals the atomized particles back into the first spray pattern.
- the secondary compressed air flow from the attachment (the invention) will cause induction of atmospheric air into the first spray pattern as well.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spray device attachment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the spray device attachment of the invention
- FIG. 2A is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 2B is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 2C is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken along line 2C-2C of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 3 is a rear view of the spray device attachment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the spray device attachment of the invention, attached to a spray device;
- FIG. 5 is a rear view of the spray device attachment of the invention, also attached to a spray device;
- FIG. 6 is a view of the spray device attachment of the invention, with focus on the bifurcated compressed air input port;
- FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of the bifurcated compressed air input port, taken from the broken circular region of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is a partial close-up view of one of a pair of vanes of the spray device attachment of the invention, the partial close-up view of the vane being one of two identical vanes, one which is positioned at 12:00 and one which is positioned at 6:00;
- FIG. 9 is a partial close-up view of one of a pair of vanes of the spray device attachment of the invention, the partial close-up view of the vane being one of two identical vanes, one which is positioned at 9:00 and one which is positioned at 3:00;
- FIG. 10 is a side view of a spray device spraying a workpiece without the spray device attachment being attached to the spray device;
- FIG. 11 is side view of a spray device spraying a workpiece with the spray device attachment being affixed to the spray device;
- FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the vane attachment device, just prior to being placed on the vane, the vane attachment device permitting induction of atmospheric air to mix with the discharging compressed air leaving the apertures at the end of the vane;
- FIG. 13 is an exploded from view of a portion of the vane which the vane attachment device is attached to, the vane attachment device permitting induction of atmospheric air to mix with the discharging compressed air leaving the apertures at the end of the vane;
- FIG. 14 is a front view of the spray device attachment, showing a vane attachment device affixed to each of the four vanes.
- FIGS. 1-3 and 14 the invention, which is the attachment to be employed with an atomizing spray device is shown.
- An air hub 60 is provided with a front section 62 and a rear section 64 . Through the center of the air hub 60 is a central aperture 100 which passes through both the front section 62 and the rear section 64 .
- the central aperture 100 is designed to receive the front spray portion 5 A of an atomizing spray device 5 therethrough (best seen in FIG. 10 ).
- vanes 2 (two) connected through the front portion 62 of the sidewall 66 and 2 connected through the rear portion 64 of the sidewall 66 .
- the first vane 20 is connected through the front portion 62 of the air hub 60 sidewall 66 .
- the first vane 20 is connected though the front portion 62 of the air hub 60 at the 12:00 position 22 .
- At the 12:00 position 22 there is an opening from the front portion 62 of the air hub 60 sidewall 66 which engages an interior air passageway 80 (best seen in FIG. 2B ) of the first vane 20 .
- the second vane 30 is connected through the front portion 62 of the air hub sidewall 66 .
- the second vane 30 is connected though the front portion 62 of the air hub 60 at the 6:00 position 32 .
- the third vane 40 is connected through the rear portion 64 of the air hub 60 sidewall 66 .
- the third vane 40 is connected though the rear portion 64 of the air hub 60 at the 9:00 position 42 .
- the fourth vane 50 is connected through the rear portion 64 of the air hub 60 sidewall 66 .
- the fourth vane 50 is connected though the rear portion 64 of the air hub 60 at the 3:00 position 52 .
- first vane 20 and the second vane 30 are identical in length and geometry.
- the third vane 40 and the fourth vane 50 are identical in length and geometry.
- a bifurcated compressed air input port 70 which passes through the air hub sidewall 66 .
- Inside the air hub 60 is an internal dividing wall 65 (best seen in FIG. 2C ) which divides the air hub internally in two sections which makes a front air hub air passage 67 and a rear air hub air passage 68 (best seen in FIG. 2C ).
- the bifurcated compressed air input port 70 has a dividing element 74 best seen in FIG. 7 .
- the bifurcated compressed air input port 70 passes through the air hub 60 in such a fashion that the dividing element 74 contacts the internal dividing wall 65 of the air hub 60 in a planar fashion.
- the compressed air enters the input port 70 it is divided into two air flows, one which enters the front air hub passage 67 and one that enters the rear air hub passage 68 .
- It shows the internal front air hub passageway 67 which is adapted to receive both the 12:00 vane 20 and the 6:00 vane 30 in a continuous air conduit.
- It further shows the internal rear air hub passageway which is adapted to receive the 9:00 vane 40 and the 3:00 vane 50 in a second continuous air conduit.
- the first vane 20 extends radially from the air hub 60 at position 22 through to a first vane middle portion 24 .
- the first vane 20 extends radially from the air hub 60 at the 12:00 position.
- At the distal end of the first vane middle portion 24 is the first vane terminal portion 26 .
- the first vane terminal portion 26 is angled or canted toward the workpiece.
- the first vane terminal portion 26 includes a plurality of apertures 28 .
- the compressed air would enter the bifurcated compressed air input port 70 to the air hub 60 where half of the compressed air would travel in the air passageway inside the front portion 62 of the air hub 60 until it reaches the first vane 20 at position 22 .
- the compressed air then proceeds inside of the first vane 20 (12:00 vane) along the interior air passageway 80 where it proceeds into the first vane terminal portion 26 .
- the plurality of apertures 28 are in communication with the interior air passageway 80 of the first vane 20 .
- the plurality of apertures 28 permit the compressed or soft air to exit the first vane 20 of the atomizing spray device attachment 10 and enter the pattern formed by atomizing spray device 5 (device 5 shown in FIG. 4 and pattern formed by device 5 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 ). This has the effect of boosting the air pattern, placing more of the material being sprayed by the atomizing device 5 to reach and adhere to the target or workpiece. Additionally, these apertures 28 , due to the pressure of the compressed air moving through them, will cause atmospheric air proximal to the apertures 28 to be inducted into the compressed air flow exiting the apertures 28 .
- the second vane 30 extends radially from the air hub 60 at position 32 through to a second vane middle portion 34 .
- the second vane 20 extends radially from the air hub 60 at the 6:00 position.
- At the distal end of the second vane middle portion 34 is the second vane terminal portion 36 .
- the second vane terminal portion 36 is angled or canted toward the workpiece.
- the second vane terminal portion 36 includes a plurality of apertures 38 .
- the compressed air would enter the bifurcated compressed air input port 70 to the air hub 60 where half of the compressed air would travel in the air passageway inside the front portion 62 of the air hub 60 until it reaches the second vane 30 at position 32 .
- the compressed air then proceeds inside of the second vane 30 (6:00 vane) along the interior air passageway 80 (the first vane 20 and the second vane 30 have identical interior compressed air passages) where it proceeds into the second vane terminal portion 36 .
- the plurality of apertures 38 are in communication with the interior air passageway 80 of the second vane 30 .
- the plurality of apertures 38 permit the compressed or soft air to exit the second vane 30 of the atomizing spray device attachment 10 and enter the pattern formed by atomizing spray device 5 (device 5 shown in FIG. 4 and pattern formed by device 5 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 ). This has the effect of boosting the air pattern, placing more of the material being sprayed by the atomizing device 5 to reach and adhere to the target or workpiece.
- these apertures 38 due to the pressure of the compressed air moving through them, will cause atmospheric air proximal to the apertures 38 to be inducted into the compressed air flow exiting the apertures 38 .
- the third vane 40 extends radially from the air hub 60 at position 42 through to a second vane middle portion 44 .
- the third vane 40 extends radially from the air hub 60 at the 9:00 position and in this embodiment the length of the third vane 40 is less than the first vane 20 and the second vane 30 .
- At the distal end of the third vane middle portion 44 is the third vane terminal portion 46 .
- the third vane terminal portion 46 is angled or canted toward the workpiece.
- the third vane terminal portion 46 includes a plurality of apertures 48 .
- the compressed air would enter the bifurcated compressed air input port 70 to the air hub 60 where half of the compressed air would travel in the air passageway inside the rear portion 62 of the air hub 60 until it reaches the third vane 40 at position 42 .
- the compressed air then proceeds inside of the third vane 40 (9:00 vane) along the interior air passageway 82 where it proceeds into the third vane terminal portion 46 .
- the plurality of apertures 48 are in communication with the interior air passageway 80 of the third vane 40 .
- the plurality of apertures 48 permit the compressed or soft air to exit the second vane 30 of the atomizing spray device attachment 10 and enter the pattern formed by atomizing spray device 5 (device 5 shown in FIG. 4 and pattern formed by device 5 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 ).
- the fourth vane 50 extends radially from the air hub 60 at position 52 through to a fourth vane middle portion 54 .
- the fourth vane 50 extends radially from the air hub 60 at the 3:00 position and in this embodiment the length of the fourth vane 50 is less than the first vane 20 and the second vane 30 .
- At the distal end of the fourth vane middle portion 54 is the fourth vane terminal portion 56 .
- the fourth vane terminal portion 56 is angled or canted toward the workpiece.
- the fourth vane terminal portion 56 includes a plurality of apertures 58 .
- the compressed air would enter the bifurcated compressed air input port 70 to the air hub 60 where half of the compressed air would travel in the air passageway inside the rear portion 62 of the air hub 60 until it reaches the fourth vane 50 at position 52 .
- the compressed air then proceeds inside of the fourth vane 50 ( 3 : 00 vane) along the interior air passageway 82 (the third vane 40 and the fourth vane 50 have identical interior compressed air passages or conduits) where it proceeds into the fourth vane terminal portion 56 .
- the plurality of apertures 58 are in communication with the interior air passageway 82 of the fourth vane 50 .
- the plurality of apertures 58 permit the compressed or soft air to exit the fourth vane 50 of the atomizing spray device attachment 10 and enter the pattern formed by atomizing spray device 5 (device 5 shown in FIG. 4 and pattern formed by device 5 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 ). This has the effect of boosting the air pattern, placing more of the material being sprayed by the atomizing device 5 to reach and adhere to the target or workpiece. Additionally, these apertures 58 , due to the pressure of the compressed air moving through them, will cause atmospheric air proximal to the apertures 58 to be inducted into the compressed air flow exiting the apertures 58 .
- FIG. 2A is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 2 .
- the view taken along 2A-2A of the fourth vane 50 is identical to the view if such a cut away way made on the third vane 40 .
- FIG. 2A shows the central air passageway 82 which connects to the rear portion 64 of the air hub 60 and extends to the to of the fourth or 3:00 vane 50 where the passageway 82 ends at a plurality of secondary compressed air exit apertures 58 . Since the third vane 40 and the fourth vane 50 are identical, the air passageway 82 channel through the two vanes ( 40 , 50 ) are identical also.
- FIG. 2B is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2 .
- the view taken along 2B-2B of the first vane 20 is identical to the view if such a cut away way made on the second vane 30 .
- FIG. 2B shows the central air passageway 80 which connects to the front portion 62 of the air hub 60 and extends to the top of the first or 12:00 vane 20 where the passageway 80 ends at a plurality of secondary compressed air exit apertures 28 . Since the first vane 20 and the second vane 30 are identical, the air passageway (channel) 80 through the two vanes ( 20 , 30 ) are identical also.
- FIG. 2C is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken along line 2C-2C of FIG. 2 . It shows the front portion 62 of the air hub 60 and the rear portion 64 of the air hub 60 .
- a compressed air line 72 is attached to the bifurcated compressed air port 70 which permits compressed air to enter the air hub 60 .
- the front portion 62 of the air hub 60 receives the first half of the compressed air from the compressed air line 72 , with the first half of the compressed air exiting the first (12:00) vane 20 and the second (6:00) vane 30 .
- the rear portion 64 of the air hub 60 receives the second half of the compressed air form the compressed air line 72 , with the second half of the compressed air exiting the third (9:00) vane 40 and the fourth (3:00) vane 50 .
- the terminal portion of all four vanes ( 26 , 36 , 46 , 56 ) can be canted or angled in any of a range of angles so that the compressed air exiting from them can form a pattern which would boost or push the particles in the pattern exiting the spraying device 5 (see FIG. 11 ).
- the number of degrees that the terminal portion of all four vanes ( 26 , 36 , 46 , 56 ) would be canted or angled may be in a range from 45 degrees to 135 degrees from the mid-portion of each of the four vanes shown as pictograph 84 proximal vane 20 in FIG. 4 .
- the angle shown in FIG. 4 is about 90 degrees from the portion of the vane that leaves the airhub 60 . This angle would be chosen by the type of nozzle the spraying device 5 that the invention 10 is employed with. Once and angle is chosen for the terminal portion of all four vanes ( 26 , 36 , 46 , 56 ) it would be set for that attachment 10 . Other angles would be set for different spray devices.
- FIGS. 6 and 7 the spray device attachment 10 is shown with the central aperture 100 adapted to receive the front portion 5 A of a spray device 5 . Further the first vane 20 , second vane 30 , third vane 40 and fourth vane 50 are shown in FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 7 an exploded view of the circular area in FIG. 6 is shown.
- the bifurcated compressed air port 70 has an interior dividing element 74 which divides the bifurcated air compressed air port 70 in half, which permits half the compressed air from the compressed air line 70 (when attached to the bifurcated air compressed air port 72 ) to enter the front air port internal air passage 67 and the other half to enter the rear air port internal air path 68 .
- FIG. 8 is a partial close-up view of one of a the pair of vanes positioned at the 12:00 and 6:00 position, either vane 20 or 30 as they are identical.
- vane 30 the middle portion of the vane 34 and the canted or angled end portion 36 of the vane 30 is portrayed.
- At the end of the canted or angled portion 36 of the vane 30 is a plurality of exit apertures 38 .
- Compressed air leaving the front internal air passage 67 enters the vane 30 air passage 80 where the air is then channeled through a connecting conduit centrally disposed interiorly of the canted or angled portion 36 of the vane 30 where the compressed air exits the vane 30 in a specific pattern created by the plurality of exit apertures 38 .
- FIG. 9 is a partial close-up view of one of a the pair of vanes positioned at the 3:00 and 9:00 position, either vane 40 or 50 as they are identical.
- vane 40 the middle portion of the vane 44 and the canted or angled end portion 46 of the vane 40 is portrayed.
- At the end of the canted or angled portion 46 of the vane 40 is a plurality of exit apertures 48 .
- Compressed air leaving the rear internal air passage 68 enters the vane 40 air passage 82 where the air is then channeled through a connecting conduit centrally disposed interiorly of the canted or angled portion 46 of the vane 40 where the compressed air exits the vane 40 in a specific pattern created by the plurality of exit apertures 48 .
- the specific pattern of compressed air created by the exit apertures 28 , 38 , 48 and 58 adds a boost of energy to the spray pattern leaving the front 5 A of the spray device 5 pushing more of the spray particulates to the target workpiece.
- the specific pattern of compressed air created by the exit apertures 38 , 38 , 48 and 58 further forms an air barrier or peripheral air zone which corrals errant spray particulates and coerces these spray particulates to the target workpiece as well.
- a spray device 5 is shown spraying a generic substance at a workpiece or target 90 .
- the spray 92 from the spray device 5 leaves the nozzle and hits the workpiece 90 .
- Some of the spray 92 will be retained on the workpiece 90 ; however, some of the spray 92 will not.
- the elements of the spray 92 that does not remain on the workpiece 90 includes bounce-back and overspray 94 , and errant particles 96 .
- the bounce-back/overspray 94 and errant particles 96 of the spray do not adhere to the workpiece/target 90 which reduces transfer efficiency.
- Spray 92 which either does not reach or does not adhere to the workpiece/target 90 is of concern for several reasons.
- This lost spray may not be environmentally friendly or biodegradable.
- the lost spray may emit fumes, and either the spray or the fumes may be toxic if inhaled or if it comes into contact with skin or the like.
- the lost spray could cause health problems with workers or animals which may inhale the spray.
- the lost spray may be blown by the wind into an agricultural area or may be chemical harmful to the atmosphere, ground, or water.
- FIG. 11 shows the spray device 5 with the spray device attachment 10 attached.
- the compressed air hose 72 brings compressed air into the bifurcated compressed air input port 70 , into the air hub 60 where the compressed air is divided into the interior air passageways or conduits ( 80 , 82 ) present in the four vanes ( 20 , 30 , 40 , 50 ).
- the compressed air exits the plurality of apertures ( 28 , 38 , 48 , 58 ) at the terminal end of each of the vanes ( 20 , 30 , 40 , 50 ) and heads toward the workpiece in a compressed air pattern comprised of air jets 91 (from vane 20 ), air jet 93 (from vane 30 ), air jet 95 (from vane 40 ) and air jet 97 (from vane 50 ).
- the spray pattern 92 from spray device 5 forms a pattern which is enclosed by the pattern from the air jets ( 91 , 93 , 95 , 97 ) leaving the vanes of the invention 10 .
- These air jets ( 91 , 93 , 95 , 97 ) adds an additional push or boost which causes more of the spray pattern 92 from the spray device 5 to hit and remain on the workpiece 90 .
- a first air induction sleeve 110 is provided to be attached over the canted or angled portion 26 of the first (12:00) vane 20 .
- the first air induction sleeve 110 includes first attachment clip 112 and a second attachment clip 114 .
- the first air induction sleeve 110 further includes a biasing element 98 centrally located on the interior 116 of the air induction sleeve 110 .
- the air induction sleeve 110 When the air induction sleeve 110 is attached to the first vane terminal portion 26 (which is angled or canted toward the workpiece), the air induction sleeve 110 forms a pair of air conduits 118 intermediate the interior 116 of the air induction sleeve 110 and the exterior of the canted and angled portion 26 of the first vane 20 .
- the compressed air which passes through the exit apertures 28 of the first vane 20 creates a low pressure zone at the exit apertures 28 of the vane 20 , this low pressure zone pulls atmospheric air from the rear 120 of the air induction sleeve 110 through the air conduits 118 to the front of the air induction sleeve 110 .
- the atmospheric air intermixes with the compressed air which exits from the exit apertures 28 of the first vane 20 . This adds additional air to the specific pattern of compressed air which exits from the exit apertures 28 .
- FIG. 14 the invention, which is the attachment 10 to be employed with an atomizing spray device 5 is shown with an air induction sleeve attached to the end of each of the four vanes 20 , 30 , 40 , and 50 .
- the elements of the attachment with the exception of the four air induction elements are discussed thoroughly in the description of FIGS. 1-3 .
- the four air induction elements 110 are discussed thoroughly in the description of FIGS. 12-13 .
- the four air induction elements 110 may be manually attached to the distal portion of each vane or may be integral with the distal portion of each vane.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/960,999 entitled “Re-energizing a Spray Pattern Downstream” filed on Oct. 3, 2013, the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- Current spray atomizers employed in coating a workpiece have several drawbacks which impair their ability to transfer the atomized coating to the workpiece. These include, but are not limited to, a loss of energy as the atomized particle travels from the spray device to the workpiece, overspray, errant particles of multiple sizes, and a bounce-back effect from the workpiece.
- When a pattern of coating leaves a spraying device it passes through several stages. The first stage is the atomization of the coating, the second stage is the shaping of a of a spray pattern, such as a fan pattern, by pattern shaping devices located on the front portion of the spraying device. The atomization of the coating does not produce a plethora of uniform coating particle sizes, but a distribution of larger sized coating particles, medium sized coating particles, all the way to micron sized coating particles. After the atomized coating has left the region proximal the nozzle and moves toward the workpiece, the coating experiences the effect of decompression, which causes a portion of the atomized particles of the coating to stray from the main pattern and become errant. These errant coating particles are very small and are not affected by gravity, they literally float in the air proximal the spray. This decompression region in the spray pattern is problematic in that it includes particles that are less than 10 microns in size. Without safety measures a particle of such a size can easily infiltrate the lungs and be retained therein. Due to the nature of many coatings, be they toxic or non-toxic, the infiltration of such particles into the lung is highly undesirable. Although the compressed air is the primary driver of the coating to the workpiece, it is also this pressure which causes the decompression which in turn is one of the major factors in the creation of overspray. As the coating travels farther from the nozzle toward the workpiece, the energy of the pattern begins to lose it's frictional bond and deplete. When the coating reaches the target workpiece, it experiences bounce-back when over-energized or not controlled by some other means.
- In the process described, the percentage of the coating that it actually delivered to the workpiece, known as Transfer Efficiency (TE) is relatively low. The closer the nozzle is to the workpiece, a higher transfer efficiency (TE) may be achieved; however, this must be done with the appropriate amount of energy moving the atomized coating particles through the atmosphere between the spray device and the workpiece. At a constant air pressure moving the atomized coating, if the nozzle is too close to the workpiece, it will cause more bounce back as well as running of the coating on the workpiece. Alternatively, if the nozzle is too far away from the workpiece, insufficient atomized coating will be able to travel the distance. Both of these scenarios have a negative impact on the transfer efficiency as well as the quality of the coating on the workpiece.
- A skilled and experienced operator would find a sweet spot for maximum transfer efficiency, by adjusting the distance of the spray device to the workpiece, adjusting the level of pressurized air moving the atomized coating toward the workpiece, as well as other tricks of the trade. However, even at this sweet spot, the generation of overspray, microscopic errant particles, bounce-back and other factors give an upper limit to the transfer efficiency. Over 50% of material sprayed by a spray device is lost to the above named factors combined with other factors. Even if the overspray is collected and the errant particles corralled, it may help the environment but does not put any more coating on the workpiece.
- What is required is a device which will energize the coating particles in the spray pattern leaving the spray device while in flight to the workpiece, this additional energy coming in the form of a controlled pattern of additional compressed air. This additional compressed air would come from an attachment which would mount on the front portion of the spray device. The attachment would have a second supply of compressed air which would enter an air hub. Depending from the outer sidewall of the air hub are four (4) vanes which are located about 90° to each other. Two of these vanes have a first length and two of these vanes have a second length.
- Insofar as this invention is concerned, compressed air is not limited solely to compressed atmospheric air. Below follows a list of the mixture of gases which are found in atmospheric air.
-
Components of Atmospheric Air by Molar Percent Nitrogen 78.084% Oxygen 20.994% Argon 0.934% Carbon Dioxide 0.035% Neon 0.001818% Helium 0.000524% Methane 0.00017% Krypton 0.000114% Hydrogen 0.000053% Nitrous Oxide 0.000031% - In addition Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide and Ammonia are present in atmospheric air in trace quantities.
- It has been considered that the instant invention may be utilized with gasses or combination of gasses which are different than atmospheric air. These gasses and mixtures of gasses are would be compressed and utilized just as compressed air would be. In this application, the term compressed air includes compressed gasses and mixtures of gasses. Further, the term air in this application includes gas or mixture of gasses. For simplicity, the
airhub 60 will allow the flow of not just air, but any gas, mixture of gas or microscopic elements which may be entrained therein. It will not be referred to as the gashub, rather as an airhub. The same follows for air passageways and air conduits. - All four of the vanes have an internal air passageway which permits the secondary compressed air to flow to the distal end of each of the four vanes. At the distal end of each of the four vanes, is a canted or angled vane element which also includes an internal compressed air passageway therein which is in communication with the internal air passageway of the four vanes. The distal end of each of the four vanes are canted or angled toward the workpiece. The secondary compressed air passageway which is located in the canted or angled portion of the four vanes each have a secondary compressed air exit, the secondary compressed air exit comprised of a plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures located at the secondary compressed air exit aims the secondary compressed air flow or second pattern into and about the first spray pattern of atomized coating particles traveling toward the workpiece, thus adding a boost of energy to the spray pattern. The boost of energy when added to the spray pattern encourages the atomized coating particles to hit and adhere to the workpiece. Additionally, the secondary compressed air flow leaving the attachment creates an directional flow of energy peripherally, which surrounds the pattern, corralling the atomized particles back into the spray pattern. The spray attachment has the advantage which permits it's use with existing spraying devices and requires no special training for the operator. The spray attachment may be manufactured with different vane lengths as well as different canting angles at the distal end of the vanes giving the spray attachment the ability to be used with pre-existing atomizing spray devices. Additionally, the spray attachment may be used with, but is not limited to, any and all coatings, fluids, adhesives, paints, anti-corrosive agents, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, waxes, fungicides and the like, which are currently employed to coat or be delivered to a workpiece or target area by a spray device. Such a device can be used by, but is not limited to use by, a human operator, a numerically controlled spray machine, a robotic spray device or the like. Such a device would substantially and measurably increase the transfer efficiency of the coating on the workpiece.
- It is also noted that the invention can be employed with any spraying device. Additionally, the invention can be employed with airless atomization tools or air assisted airless atomization tools. Still, compressed air would be employed through the air pathways created by the invention when using such atomization spray devices.
- The vane length is dependent on the nozzle of the spraying device which is employed with the invention. As different nozzles produce different spray patterns, the vanes will need to be adjusted in length accordingly in order to produce an air pattern which will add the boost or push to whatever may be spraying through the nozzle to increase the transfer efficiency to the target or workpiece.
- The spray attachment will be discussed in further detail in the description in the Summary of the Invention and the Detailed Description of the Figures.
- It to be understood that although the Figures show a conventional hand held spray gun, the invention is in absolutely no way limited to such a device. It may be employed with spray nozzles of any type, be they operated by humans, robots or machines, for cleaning, coating, cooling, drying, lubricating, dispensing, sanitizing, marking or other industrial processes and the like.
- The invention is an attachment for an atomizing spray device, other types of spray devices, or other spraying devices. A cylindrical air hub with a central aperture is provided to permit the front portion of the spray device or nozzle to be securely mounted through the central aperture.
- The central aperture of the air hub is adapted to receive the front of the spray device there-through. The interior portion of a cylindrical sidewall securely surrounds the front portion of the spray device, this front portion of the spray device generally would include a center-point where the workpiece coating material is atomized, and proximal to the center-point resides a pair of air horns. For purposes of clarification, the spray device does not form any part of the invention. The spray device is to be used in conjunction with the spray device attachment, which is the invention.
- The cylindrical air hub with a central aperture has a front ring with a first interior air passage and a rear ring with a second interior air passage which are separated by an interior dividing wall. The interior dividing wall divides the cylindrical air hub in half which results in the first interior air passage and the second interior passage being of the same size as well as being parallel to each other.
- A bifurcated compressed air port passes through the sidewall of the air hub. The bifurcated compressed air port has a dividing element. The bifurcated compressed air port is attached to the air hub in such a fashion that the dividing element is in the same plane and connected to the dividing wall which separates the first interior air passage from the second interior air passage in the air hub. The bifurcated compressed air port, when hooked up to a compressed air supply, would supply one half of the compressed air to the first interior air passage of the front ring of the air hub, and one half of the compressed air to the second interior air passage of the rear ring of the air hub.
- The external sidewall of the air hub has four air vanes attached thereto.
- A first pair of two air vanes are mounted on the front portion of the of the air hub and are in communication with the first interior air passage of the front ring.
- A second pair of two air vanes are mounted on the rear portion of the air hub and have are in communication with the second interior air passage of the rear ring.
- The first pair of two air vanes are located at the 12:00 position and the 6:00 position of the front portion of the air hub.
- The first air vane located at the 12:00 position has an interior air passageway which passes through the sidewall of the front portion of the air hub and allows air to flow there-through from the first interior air passage of the front portion of the air hub.
- The second air vane located at the 6:00 position has an interior air passageway which passes through the sidewall of the front portion of the air hub and allows air to flow there-through from the first interior air passage of the front portion of the air hub.
- The second pair of two air vanes are located at the 9:00 and 3:00 position of the rear portion of the air hub.
- The third air vane located at the 9:00 position has an interior air passageway which passes through the sidewall of the rear portion of the air hub and allows air to flow there-through from the second interior air passage of the rear portion of the air hub.
- The fourth air vane located at the 3:00 position has an interior air passageway which passes through the sidewall of the rear portion of the air hub and allows air to flow there-through from the second interior air passage of the rear portion of the air hub.
- The vanes that are located at the 12:00 position and the 6:00 position are longer than the vanes located at the 9:00 position and the 3:00 position.
- At the distal end of all 4 vanes, the vanes are canted or angled in a forward fashion toward the workpiece. The canted or angled portion of each of the vanes includes an interior air passage as well. At the extreme end of the canted or angled element the air passageways include an end piece and each end piece includes a plurality of compressed air exit holes. The plurality of exit holes allow the secondary compressed air flow from the bifurcated input port to pass through the air hub, into the four vanes, and then into the canted or angled portion of the four vanes where it would exit through the plurality of exit holes located at the end of each vane.
- The plurality of apertures located at the secondary compressed air exit aims the secondary compressed air flow into the spray pattern of atomized coating particles traveling toward the workpiece, thus adding a boost of energy to the spray pattern. The boost of energy when added to the spray pattern encourages the atomized coating particles to hit and adhere to the workpiece. Additionally, the secondary compressed air flow leaving the attachment or an atomizing air device creates a second directional flow pattern which peripherally surrounds the first pattern formed by the spray device, which additionally corrals the atomized particles back into the first spray pattern. Further, the secondary compressed air flow from the attachment (the invention) will cause induction of atmospheric air into the first spray pattern as well.
- Other structural elements and additional embodiments of the invention will be introduced and discussed in the Detailed Description of the Figures.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spray device attachment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a front view of the spray device attachment of the invention; -
FIG. 2A is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken alongline 2A-2A ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 2B is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken alongline 2B-2B ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 2C is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken along line 2C-2C ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the spray device attachment of the invention; -
FIG. 4 is a side view of the spray device attachment of the invention, attached to a spray device; -
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the spray device attachment of the invention, also attached to a spray device; -
FIG. 6 is a view of the spray device attachment of the invention, with focus on the bifurcated compressed air input port; -
FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of the bifurcated compressed air input port, taken from the broken circular region ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is a partial close-up view of one of a pair of vanes of the spray device attachment of the invention, the partial close-up view of the vane being one of two identical vanes, one which is positioned at 12:00 and one which is positioned at 6:00; -
FIG. 9 is a partial close-up view of one of a pair of vanes of the spray device attachment of the invention, the partial close-up view of the vane being one of two identical vanes, one which is positioned at 9:00 and one which is positioned at 3:00; -
FIG. 10 is a side view of a spray device spraying a workpiece without the spray device attachment being attached to the spray device; -
FIG. 11 is side view of a spray device spraying a workpiece with the spray device attachment being affixed to the spray device; -
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the vane attachment device, just prior to being placed on the vane, the vane attachment device permitting induction of atmospheric air to mix with the discharging compressed air leaving the apertures at the end of the vane; -
FIG. 13 is an exploded from view of a portion of the vane which the vane attachment device is attached to, the vane attachment device permitting induction of atmospheric air to mix with the discharging compressed air leaving the apertures at the end of the vane; -
FIG. 14 is a front view of the spray device attachment, showing a vane attachment device affixed to each of the four vanes. - Referring now specifically to
FIGS. 1-3 and 14, the invention, which is the attachment to be employed with an atomizing spray device is shown. - An
air hub 60 is provided with afront section 62 and arear section 64. Through the center of theair hub 60 is acentral aperture 100 which passes through both thefront section 62 and therear section 64. Thecentral aperture 100 is designed to receive the front spray portion 5A of anatomizing spray device 5 therethrough (best seen inFIG. 10 ). - Depending from the
air hub 60 are four vanes, 2 (two) connected through thefront portion 62 of thesidewall rear portion 64 of thesidewall 66. - The
first vane 20 is connected through thefront portion 62 of theair hub 60sidewall 66. Thefirst vane 20 is connected though thefront portion 62 of theair hub 60 at the 12:00position 22. At the 12:00position 22 there is an opening from thefront portion 62 of theair hub 60sidewall 66 which engages an interior air passageway 80 (best seen inFIG. 2B ) of thefirst vane 20. - The
second vane 30 is connected through thefront portion 62 of theair hub sidewall 66. Thesecond vane 30 is connected though thefront portion 62 of theair hub 60 at the 6:00position 32. - The
third vane 40 is connected through therear portion 64 of theair hub 60sidewall 66. Thethird vane 40 is connected though therear portion 64 of theair hub 60 at the 9:00position 42. - The
fourth vane 50 is connected through therear portion 64 of theair hub 60sidewall 66. Thefourth vane 50 is connected though therear portion 64 of theair hub 60 at the 3:00position 52. - In the preferred embodiment, the
first vane 20 and thesecond vane 30 are identical in length and geometry. Thethird vane 40 and thefourth vane 50 are identical in length and geometry. - It has been contemplated that other embodiments can have different length vanes and different geometries and these are considered to be within the scope of the invention.
- Between the
second vane 30 and thefourth vane 50 is a bifurcated compressedair input port 70 which passes through theair hub sidewall 66. Inside theair hub 60 is an internal dividing wall 65 (best seen inFIG. 2C ) which divides the air hub internally in two sections which makes a front airhub air passage 67 and a rear air hub air passage 68 (best seen inFIG. 2C ). - The bifurcated compressed
air input port 70 has a dividingelement 74 best seen inFIG. 7 . The bifurcated compressedair input port 70 passes through theair hub 60 in such a fashion that the dividingelement 74 contacts theinternal dividing wall 65 of theair hub 60 in a planar fashion. By this arrangement, when the compressed air enters theinput port 70 it is divided into two air flows, one which enters the frontair hub passage 67 and one that enters the rearair hub passage 68. It shows the internal frontair hub passageway 67 which is adapted to receive both the 12:00vane 20 and the 6:00vane 30 in a continuous air conduit. It further shows the internal rear air hub passageway which is adapted to receive the 9:00vane 40 and the 3:00vane 50 in a second continuous air conduit. - The
first vane 20 extends radially from theair hub 60 atposition 22 through to a first vanemiddle portion 24. Thefirst vane 20 extends radially from theair hub 60 at the 12:00 position. At the distal end of the first vanemiddle portion 24 is the firstvane terminal portion 26. The firstvane terminal portion 26 is angled or canted toward the workpiece. The firstvane terminal portion 26 includes a plurality ofapertures 28. The compressed air would enter the bifurcated compressedair input port 70 to theair hub 60 where half of the compressed air would travel in the air passageway inside thefront portion 62 of theair hub 60 until it reaches thefirst vane 20 atposition 22. The compressed air then proceeds inside of the first vane 20 (12:00 vane) along theinterior air passageway 80 where it proceeds into the firstvane terminal portion 26. The plurality ofapertures 28 are in communication with theinterior air passageway 80 of thefirst vane 20. The plurality ofapertures 28 permit the compressed or soft air to exit thefirst vane 20 of the atomizingspray device attachment 10 and enter the pattern formed by atomizing spray device 5 (device 5 shown inFIG. 4 and pattern formed bydevice 5 shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 ). This has the effect of boosting the air pattern, placing more of the material being sprayed by theatomizing device 5 to reach and adhere to the target or workpiece. Additionally, theseapertures 28, due to the pressure of the compressed air moving through them, will cause atmospheric air proximal to theapertures 28 to be inducted into the compressed air flow exiting theapertures 28. - The
second vane 30 extends radially from theair hub 60 atposition 32 through to a second vanemiddle portion 34. Thesecond vane 20 extends radially from theair hub 60 at the 6:00 position. At the distal end of the second vanemiddle portion 34 is the secondvane terminal portion 36. The secondvane terminal portion 36 is angled or canted toward the workpiece. The secondvane terminal portion 36 includes a plurality ofapertures 38. The compressed air would enter the bifurcated compressedair input port 70 to theair hub 60 where half of the compressed air would travel in the air passageway inside thefront portion 62 of theair hub 60 until it reaches thesecond vane 30 atposition 32. The compressed air then proceeds inside of the second vane 30 (6:00 vane) along the interior air passageway 80 (thefirst vane 20 and thesecond vane 30 have identical interior compressed air passages) where it proceeds into the secondvane terminal portion 36. The plurality ofapertures 38 are in communication with theinterior air passageway 80 of thesecond vane 30. The plurality ofapertures 38 permit the compressed or soft air to exit thesecond vane 30 of the atomizingspray device attachment 10 and enter the pattern formed by atomizing spray device 5 (device 5 shown inFIG. 4 and pattern formed bydevice 5 shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 ). This has the effect of boosting the air pattern, placing more of the material being sprayed by theatomizing device 5 to reach and adhere to the target or workpiece. Additionally, theseapertures 38, due to the pressure of the compressed air moving through them, will cause atmospheric air proximal to theapertures 38 to be inducted into the compressed air flow exiting theapertures 38. - The
third vane 40 extends radially from theair hub 60 atposition 42 through to a second vanemiddle portion 44. Thethird vane 40 extends radially from theair hub 60 at the 9:00 position and in this embodiment the length of thethird vane 40 is less than thefirst vane 20 and thesecond vane 30. At the distal end of the third vanemiddle portion 44 is the thirdvane terminal portion 46. The thirdvane terminal portion 46 is angled or canted toward the workpiece. The thirdvane terminal portion 46 includes a plurality ofapertures 48. The compressed air would enter the bifurcated compressedair input port 70 to theair hub 60 where half of the compressed air would travel in the air passageway inside therear portion 62 of theair hub 60 until it reaches thethird vane 40 atposition 42. The compressed air then proceeds inside of the third vane 40 (9:00 vane) along theinterior air passageway 82 where it proceeds into the thirdvane terminal portion 46. The plurality ofapertures 48 are in communication with theinterior air passageway 80 of thethird vane 40. The plurality ofapertures 48 permit the compressed or soft air to exit thesecond vane 30 of the atomizingspray device attachment 10 and enter the pattern formed by atomizing spray device 5 (device 5 shown inFIG. 4 and pattern formed bydevice 5 shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 ). This has the effect of boosting the air pattern, placing more of the material being sprayed by theatomizing device 5 to reach and adhere to the target or workpiece. Additionally, theseapertures 48, due to the pressure of the compressed air moving through them, will cause atmospheric air proximal to theapertures 48 to be inducted into the compressed air flow exiting theapertures 48. - The
fourth vane 50 extends radially from theair hub 60 atposition 52 through to a fourth vanemiddle portion 54. Thefourth vane 50 extends radially from theair hub 60 at the 3:00 position and in this embodiment the length of thefourth vane 50 is less than thefirst vane 20 and thesecond vane 30. At the distal end of the fourth vanemiddle portion 54 is the fourthvane terminal portion 56. The fourthvane terminal portion 56 is angled or canted toward the workpiece. The fourthvane terminal portion 56 includes a plurality ofapertures 58. - The compressed air would enter the bifurcated compressed
air input port 70 to theair hub 60 where half of the compressed air would travel in the air passageway inside therear portion 62 of theair hub 60 until it reaches thefourth vane 50 atposition 52. The compressed air then proceeds inside of the fourth vane 50 (3:00 vane) along the interior air passageway 82 (thethird vane 40 and thefourth vane 50 have identical interior compressed air passages or conduits) where it proceeds into the fourthvane terminal portion 56. The plurality ofapertures 58 are in communication with theinterior air passageway 82 of thefourth vane 50. The plurality ofapertures 58 permit the compressed or soft air to exit thefourth vane 50 of the atomizingspray device attachment 10 and enter the pattern formed by atomizing spray device 5 (device 5 shown inFIG. 4 and pattern formed bydevice 5 shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 ). This has the effect of boosting the air pattern, placing more of the material being sprayed by theatomizing device 5 to reach and adhere to the target or workpiece. Additionally, theseapertures 58, due to the pressure of the compressed air moving through them, will cause atmospheric air proximal to theapertures 58 to be inducted into the compressed air flow exiting theapertures 58. -
FIG. 2A is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken alongline 2A-2A ofFIG. 2 . The view taken along 2A-2A of thefourth vane 50 is identical to the view if such a cut away way made on thethird vane 40.FIG. 2A shows thecentral air passageway 82 which connects to therear portion 64 of theair hub 60 and extends to the to of the fourth or 3:00vane 50 where thepassageway 82 ends at a plurality of secondary compressedair exit apertures 58. Since thethird vane 40 and thefourth vane 50 are identical, theair passageway 82 channel through the two vanes (40,50) are identical also. -
FIG. 2B is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken alongline 2B-2B ofFIG. 2 . The view taken along 2B-2B of thefirst vane 20 is identical to the view if such a cut away way made on thesecond vane 30.FIG. 2B shows thecentral air passageway 80 which connects to thefront portion 62 of theair hub 60 and extends to the top of the first or 12:00vane 20 where thepassageway 80 ends at a plurality of secondary compressedair exit apertures 28. Since thefirst vane 20 and thesecond vane 30 are identical, the air passageway (channel) 80 through the two vanes (20,30) are identical also. -
FIG. 2C is a cut-away view of the spray device attachment of the invention taken along line 2C-2C ofFIG. 2 . It shows thefront portion 62 of theair hub 60 and therear portion 64 of theair hub 60. - Referring now to
FIGS. 4 and 5 a view of thespray attachment 10 attached to ageneric spray device 5 is shown. Acompressed air line 72 is attached to the bifurcatedcompressed air port 70 which permits compressed air to enter theair hub 60. Thefront portion 62 of theair hub 60 receives the first half of the compressed air from thecompressed air line 72, with the first half of the compressed air exiting the first (12:00)vane 20 and the second (6:00)vane 30. Therear portion 64 of theair hub 60 receives the second half of the compressed air form thecompressed air line 72, with the second half of the compressed air exiting the third (9:00)vane 40 and the fourth (3:00)vane 50. - The terminal portion of all four vanes (26, 36, 46, 56) can be canted or angled in any of a range of angles so that the compressed air exiting from them can form a pattern which would boost or push the particles in the pattern exiting the spraying device 5 (see
FIG. 11 ). - The number of degrees that the terminal portion of all four vanes (26, 36, 46, 56) would be canted or angled may be in a range from 45 degrees to 135 degrees from the mid-portion of each of the four vanes shown as
pictograph 84proximal vane 20 inFIG. 4 . The angle shown inFIG. 4 is about 90 degrees from the portion of the vane that leaves theairhub 60. This angle would be chosen by the type of nozzle thespraying device 5 that theinvention 10 is employed with. Once and angle is chosen for the terminal portion of all four vanes (26, 36, 46, 56) it would be set for thatattachment 10. Other angles would be set for different spray devices. - Referring now to
FIGS. 6 and 7 thespray device attachment 10 is shown with thecentral aperture 100 adapted to receive the front portion 5A of aspray device 5. Further thefirst vane 20,second vane 30,third vane 40 andfourth vane 50 are shown inFIG. 6 . - In
FIG. 7 , an exploded view of the circular area inFIG. 6 is shown. Between thesecond vane 30 and thefourth vane 50 is the bifurcated compressedair port 70 shown onair hub 60. The bifurcated air compressedair port 70 has aninterior dividing element 74 which divides the bifurcated air compressedair port 70 in half, which permits half the compressed air from the compressed air line 70 (when attached to the bifurcated air compressed air port 72) to enter the front air portinternal air passage 67 and the other half to enter the rear air portinternal air path 68. -
FIG. 8 is a partial close-up view of one of a the pair of vanes positioned at the 12:00 and 6:00 position, eithervane vane 30, the middle portion of thevane 34 and the canted orangled end portion 36 of thevane 30 is portrayed. At the end of the canted orangled portion 36 of thevane 30 is a plurality ofexit apertures 38. Compressed air leaving the frontinternal air passage 67 enters the vane 30air passage 80 where the air is then channeled through a connecting conduit centrally disposed interiorly of the canted orangled portion 36 of thevane 30 where the compressed air exits thevane 30 in a specific pattern created by the plurality ofexit apertures 38. -
FIG. 9 is a partial close-up view of one of a the pair of vanes positioned at the 3:00 and 9:00 position, eithervane vane 40, the middle portion of thevane 44 and the canted orangled end portion 46 of thevane 40 is portrayed. At the end of the canted orangled portion 46 of thevane 40 is a plurality ofexit apertures 48. Compressed air leaving the rearinternal air passage 68 enters the vane 40air passage 82 where the air is then channeled through a connecting conduit centrally disposed interiorly of the canted orangled portion 46 of thevane 40 where the compressed air exits thevane 40 in a specific pattern created by the plurality ofexit apertures 48. - The specific pattern of compressed air created by the
exit apertures spray device 5 pushing more of the spray particulates to the target workpiece. The specific pattern of compressed air created by theexit apertures - Referring specifically to
FIG. 10 , aspray device 5 is shown spraying a generic substance at a workpiece ortarget 90. Thespray 92 from thespray device 5 leaves the nozzle and hits theworkpiece 90. Some of thespray 92 will be retained on theworkpiece 90; however, some of thespray 92 will not. The elements of thespray 92 that does not remain on theworkpiece 90 includes bounce-back andoverspray 94, anderrant particles 96. The bounce-back/overspray 94 anderrant particles 96 of the spray do not adhere to the workpiece/target 90 which reduces transfer efficiency.Spray 92 which either does not reach or does not adhere to the workpiece/target 90 is of concern for several reasons. This lost spray may not be environmentally friendly or biodegradable. The lost spray may emit fumes, and either the spray or the fumes may be toxic if inhaled or if it comes into contact with skin or the like. The lost spray could cause health problems with workers or animals which may inhale the spray. The lost spray may be blown by the wind into an agricultural area or may be chemical harmful to the atmosphere, ground, or water. -
FIG. 11 shows thespray device 5 with thespray device attachment 10 attached. As previously discussed, thecompressed air hose 72 brings compressed air into the bifurcated compressedair input port 70, into theair hub 60 where the compressed air is divided into the interior air passageways or conduits (80,82) present in the four vanes (20, 30, 40, 50). The compressed air exits the plurality of apertures (28,38,48,58) at the terminal end of each of the vanes (20, 30, 40, 50) and heads toward the workpiece in a compressed air pattern comprised of air jets 91 (from vane 20), air jet 93 (from vane 30), air jet 95 (from vane 40) and air jet 97 (from vane 50). - The
spray pattern 92 fromspray device 5 forms a pattern which is enclosed by the pattern from the air jets (91,93,95,97) leaving the vanes of theinvention 10. These air jets (91,93,95,97) adds an additional push or boost which causes more of thespray pattern 92 from thespray device 5 to hit and remain on theworkpiece 90. This includes thespray 92 itself, the bounce-back/overspray 94 and theerrant particles 96. - By causing more of the
spray pattern 92 to remain on theworkpiece 90 the transfer efficiency is thus increased. - Referring now specifically to
FIGS. 12-13 , a firstair induction sleeve 110 is provided to be attached over the canted orangled portion 26 of the first (12:00)vane 20. The firstair induction sleeve 110 includesfirst attachment clip 112 and asecond attachment clip 114. The firstair induction sleeve 110 further includes a biasingelement 98 centrally located on theinterior 116 of theair induction sleeve 110. - When the
air induction sleeve 110 is attached to the first vane terminal portion 26 (which is angled or canted toward the workpiece), theair induction sleeve 110 forms a pair ofair conduits 118 intermediate theinterior 116 of theair induction sleeve 110 and the exterior of the canted andangled portion 26 of thefirst vane 20. The compressed air which passes through theexit apertures 28 of thefirst vane 20 creates a low pressure zone at theexit apertures 28 of thevane 20, this low pressure zone pulls atmospheric air from the rear 120 of theair induction sleeve 110 through theair conduits 118 to the front of theair induction sleeve 110. The atmospheric air intermixes with the compressed air which exits from theexit apertures 28 of thefirst vane 20. This adds additional air to the specific pattern of compressed air which exits from theexit apertures 28. - Referring now specifically to
FIG. 14 , the invention, which is theattachment 10 to be employed with anatomizing spray device 5 is shown with an air induction sleeve attached to the end of each of the fourvanes FIGS. 1-3 . The fourair induction elements 110 are discussed thoroughly in the description ofFIGS. 12-13 . - The four
air induction elements 110 may be manually attached to the distal portion of each vane or may be integral with the distal portion of each vane.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/467,141 US9038926B2 (en) | 2013-10-03 | 2014-08-25 | Attachment to improve transfer efficiency for a spraying device |
US14/696,678 US9308539B2 (en) | 2013-10-03 | 2015-04-27 | Attachment to improve transfer efficiency for a spraying device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201361960999P | 2013-10-03 | 2013-10-03 | |
US14/467,141 US9038926B2 (en) | 2013-10-03 | 2014-08-25 | Attachment to improve transfer efficiency for a spraying device |
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US14/696,678 Continuation US9308539B2 (en) | 2013-10-03 | 2015-04-27 | Attachment to improve transfer efficiency for a spraying device |
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US20150097060A1 true US20150097060A1 (en) | 2015-04-09 |
US9038926B2 US9038926B2 (en) | 2015-05-26 |
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US14/467,141 Expired - Fee Related US9038926B2 (en) | 2013-10-03 | 2014-08-25 | Attachment to improve transfer efficiency for a spraying device |
US14/696,678 Active US9308539B2 (en) | 2013-10-03 | 2015-04-27 | Attachment to improve transfer efficiency for a spraying device |
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US14/696,678 Active US9308539B2 (en) | 2013-10-03 | 2015-04-27 | Attachment to improve transfer efficiency for a spraying device |
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Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4767056A (en) * | 1987-04-20 | 1988-08-30 | Kris Demetrius | Spray guard |
US5011086A (en) * | 1987-06-16 | 1991-04-30 | Ransburg Corporation | Spray coating device for electrically conductive coating liquids |
US6006999A (en) * | 1998-02-27 | 1999-12-28 | Chrysler Corporation | Air knife blow-off for maintaining cleanliness of rotary powder applications |
US6135365A (en) * | 1998-05-29 | 2000-10-24 | Kako Zoki Co., Ltd | Air spray gun type coating device |
-
2014
- 2014-08-25 US US14/467,141 patent/US9038926B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2015
- 2015-04-27 US US14/696,678 patent/US9308539B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4767056A (en) * | 1987-04-20 | 1988-08-30 | Kris Demetrius | Spray guard |
US5011086A (en) * | 1987-06-16 | 1991-04-30 | Ransburg Corporation | Spray coating device for electrically conductive coating liquids |
US6006999A (en) * | 1998-02-27 | 1999-12-28 | Chrysler Corporation | Air knife blow-off for maintaining cleanliness of rotary powder applications |
US6135365A (en) * | 1998-05-29 | 2000-10-24 | Kako Zoki Co., Ltd | Air spray gun type coating device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US9038926B2 (en) | 2015-05-26 |
US20150231650A1 (en) | 2015-08-20 |
US9308539B2 (en) | 2016-04-12 |
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